Refrigeration



c. c. cooNs 2,489,752

REFRIGERATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 29, 1949 Filed Nov.V 13. 1944 Fig. 2

c. c. cooNs 2,489,752

REFRIGERATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 29, 1949 Filed NOV. 13, 1944 fig, 3

Patented Nov. 29, 19,49

REFRIGERATION Curtis C. Coons, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to la The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation oi' Ohio Application November 13, 1944, Serial No. 563,139 13 Claims. (Cl. 62-119.5)

My invention relates to the art of refrigeration and more particularly to refrigerating systems of the absorption type utilizing an inert pressure equalizing medium particularly constructed and arranged to produce extremely low temperatures in the range of 0 F. and below for the purpose of preserving foodstuffs frozen at temperatures low enough to permit their preservation in the frozen state for long periods of time.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorption refrigerating system of the pressure equalized type in which refrigerant liquid evaporates into inert pressure equalizing medium in a rst concentration range which is extremely low whereby the refrigerant may evaporate thereinto at extremely low temperatures and a second concentration range higher than the first concentration range whereby the refrigerant will evaporate into the inert gas in this concentration range at higher temperatures to satisfy ice freezing and food preserving requirements.

It is a further object of the present invention to providei a refrigerating system of the threefluid absorption type in which the inert gas traversing the extremely low temperature evaporator is separated from refrigerant vapor by being contacted with very lean solution in an absorbing zone maintained at a low temperature by the principal evaporator of the system.

It is a furtherl object of the present invention to provide a pressure equalized absorption refrigerating system in which the absorbing solution deprived of refrigerant vapor in a heated zone is conveyed rst into contact with inert gas in a cold absorbing zone whereby to reduce the refrigerant vapor content of the inert gas in said zone to low-vaine and is then subsequently conveyed to a second absorbing zone which is cooled by air or water wherein the solution absorbs refrigerant vapor from inert. gas discharged from a refrigerated zoney which cools the first mentioned absorbing zone.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a partly broken and partly diagrammatic representation of one form of the invention and associated cabinet construction.

Figure 2 is a side elevational sectional view of the refrigerating apparatus of Figure 1 associated with a cabinet structure'.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view partly in 2 secti'qn illustrating the cabinet arrangement of the refrigerating system of Figures l and 2.

Throughout the drawing gas or vapor is indicated by dotted arrows and liquid is indicated by solid arrows.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is illustrateda three-fluid absorption refrigerating system of the pressure equalized type which is charged with a suitable absorbing medium, such as water, a refrigerant, such as ammonia, and a ypressure equalizing medium which is inert to the refrigerant and absorbent, preferably a dense inert gas like nitrogen.

The refrigerating system consists of a generator or boiler B arranged to be heated by any suitable means, such as 4the combustible fuel burner H. Positioned above the boiler is a multiple analyzer structure generally designated as D in open communication with the boiler B. The analyzer D is internally divided by a horizontal partition II which is pierced by an overow conduit I2 and a vapor discharge conduit I3 of greater height than conduit I2. Below the partition II the analyzer D is also provided with a plurality of.p1ates I4 to produce an extended vapor and liquid contact path. Above the partition I I there is mounted a second analyzing vessel I5 provided interiorly thereof with a plurality of plates I 6 similar to the plates I4 previously mentioned. An opening I'I is provided in the bottom wall of the analyzer I5 below the level of the upper portion of overflow conduit I2 whereby the opening I'I will be below the level of solution maintained on top of partition I I by conduit I2.

Rich solution is supplied to vessel I5 throug conduit I8 from a source to be more fully developed hereinafter. The rich solution flows downwardly through vessel I5 over plates I6 and is heated by hot vapor from the boiler B discharged into the space around vessel I5 by the vapor conduit I3. This action serves to liberate some refrigerant Vapor from the strong solution in vessel I5 and to condense absorption solution from the vapor surrounding the vessel I5.

The partially weakened absorption solution produced in vessel I5 passes through the opening I1 into the pool of solution maintained by the partition II and ultimately flows through conduit I2 and analyzer D into the boiler B.

The vapor produced in vessel I5 is conducted by conduit I9 and rectifier R to the upper portion of a tubular air-cooled condenser C wherein it is liquefied and the heat of condensation is rejected to the atmosphere flowing across the ns on condenser C Liquid refrigerant formed in condenser C is almost totally free of absorption solution because it was evolved from extremely rich absorbing solution in vessel I and it has further been purified in rectiiler R. The condensate formed in condenser C is conducted from the bottom of the condenser through a Urshaped liquid sealing conduit 2| into the upper gas discharge portion 22 of an evaporator E'. The rising leg 23 of conduit 2| is coiled around a cold gas conduit 24 to precool the liquid refrigerant.

The liquid refrigerant supplied to the evaporator E' ilows downwardly by gravity in counterilow relationship and in contact with a stream of very lean inert gas which flows from an absorber Af through conduit 26, gas heat exchanger 21 and conduit 28 into the lower portion of the evaporator E.

The evaporator E is embedded in the insulation 29 of a low temperature food preserving chamber 30 and is in thermal contact with the inner liner plate 3| of the chamber 30.. The

' chamber 36 is provided with a suitable insulated closure member 32 to allow access to the interior thereof, and the whole chamber 30 is supported by brackets 33 from the top wallof and within an insulated cabinet construction generally indicated at 34 which is provided with the usual insulated closure 35. A

The vapor in the upper part of the analyzer surrounding the,chamber I5 is conducted to the condenser C' Iby a conduit 38 which includes a rectier R' wherein absorbing solution condenses and flows backwardlyY into the analyzer structure. The refrigerant vapor supplied to condenser C is liqueed therein by heat exchange with atmospheric air and the resulting liquid is conducted into a tubular tank type evaporator E by a conduit 40 including a .U-shaped liquid seal trap portion. The condenser sides of'traps 2| and 40 are vented to gas conduit 22 by vent conduits 4I and 42, respectively.

Evaporator E consists of a tank or vessel which encloses the absorber A'. The annular chamber formed between the absorber A' and the outer wall of tank 45 is provided with a plurality of liquid and gas guiding bafile plates 46 to provide for gas and liquid contact. The liquid refrigerant discharged through conduit 40 ows downwardly over the bailles in counterilow relationship and in contact with an inert gas stream which comes from the upper evaporatorl E' by way of conduits 22 and 24, gas heat exchanger 21 and conduit 44. The inert gas flows upwardly through the evaporator from which it is removed by conduit 41 and conducted to the lower portion of a tubular air-cooled absorber A' by way of the inner path of gas heat exchanger G and conduit 48.

The evaporator E is enclosed within and closely engaged by a casting 50 which is provided with air-cooling ns 5I. A plurality of ice trays receiving shelves 52 extend forwardly of the tank 45 and are closed by an access closure 53. The evaporator E and its associated casting 50 is supported beneath the chamber 30 by extensions l of brackets 33.

A drain conduit 26a is connected between the I absorber A through conduit 43 illows upwardly therethrough in contact with and in counterflow relationship with absorbing solution supplied in a manner to be described hereinafter. The absorbing solution removes refrigerant vapor from the rich gas and the resulting heat of absorption is rejected to the atmospheric air flowing over the exterior walls and attached ns on the absorber conduit. The lean gas is then conducted from the upper portion of the absorber A to the suction side of a circulating fan F 'by means of a conduit 56. The fan F is driven by an electrical motor M and is of the hermetically sealed type such as that disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent 2,307,113, dated January 5, 1943. The gas placed under pressure by the fan F is conducted therefrom to the lower portion of absorber A through conduit 51, the outer pass of gas heat exchanger G and conduit 58.

The lean gas ilows upwardly through the absorber vessel A in contact with the lean absorbing solution ilowing downwardly therethrough over the baille plates 59. Since the absorber A' is maintained at a very low temperature because it is completely encased within the evaporator E, the refrigerant vapor content of the lean inert gas is further reduced to an extremely low value in the absorber A' and the inert gas which is then conducted from the upper portion of absorber A' to the evaporator E' through conduit 26, heat exchanger 21 and conduit 23 has an extremely low refrigerant vapor concentration.

The lean absorbing solution formed in the generator B by the evolution of refrigerant vapor is conducted therefrom to a solution reservoir S through conduit 6|, liquid heat exchanger L, and the tubular finned air-cooled liquid precooler 62. Absorbing solution is withdrawn from the, vessel S through the U-shaped bottom portion 63- of a gas lift conduit 64 which discharges the solution into a gas separation chamber 65 positioned slightly above the upper portion of absorber A. Pumping gas is supplied to the lower portion of the gas lift conduit 64 below the liquid level therein by a conduit 66 which conducts pumping gas from the rich gas discharge conduit 51 of the'circulating fan F. The reservoir S is vented through a conduit 68 to the gas conduit 56 which connects directly to the suction side of the circulating fan F. Pumping gas discharging into chamber 65, is purged therefrom into the rich gas conduit 41 through conduit 63.

The lean solution discharged into chamber 65 flows through a conduit 10 into the upper portion of the absorber A' where it is brought into contact with the lean gas discharged from absorber A. Solution is withdrawn from the lower p01'- tion of absorber A' and conducted to the upper portion of the absorber A by conduit 1|, liquid heat exchanger 12, which surrounds a portion of the gas lift pump 64, and conduit 13. The solution flows downwardly by gravity through the air cooled absorber A in contact with and in counterilow relation to the rich inert gas ilowin'g upwardly through absorber A. The solution is enriched by the absorption of refrigerant vapor. Rich solution is then conducted from the bottom of the absorber A to the analyzing chamber i5 by conduit 18, liquid heat exchanger L and conduit I8, thus completing the solution circuit.

Excess refrigerant and non-volatile material drains from the evaporator E to evaporator E through conduit 26a in the manner disclosed hereinbefore. These non-volatile materials to- :ether-with those formed directly in evaporator E are returned to the solution circuit by conduit 15 which connects the bottom of evaporator E to conduit 13 suillciently below the upper portion thereof to insure a. liquid gas seal in the bottom part of conduit 15.

Referring now to Figure 2 the manner of assembly of the apparatus with the cabinet will be described. As before mentioned the bracket 93 supports the low temperature insulated freezing chamber 30 in superimposed relation to the finned ice freezing and air-cooling structure 50 which encloses the evaporator E and absorber The insulation of the rear wall of the cabinet is provided with an opening as indicated at 80 which is closed by a removable insulated panel 8| mounted as part of a refrigerating system and is sealed by a suitable gasket 82. The heat exchangers G, 21, and 12, the gas separation chamber 65, the coiled heat exchange portion 23 of the conduit 2| and various connecting conduits are all embedded in a second insulated body of material 93 which is also securely attached to the refrigerating mechanism. The panel 8| is of sufficient size to permit the evaporator structures 30 and 50 to be inserted into the interior of the cabinet 34 through the' opening 80. The insulatingstructure 83 is of greater length than the opening 8D and fits in a conforming recess in the rear wall insulation of the cabinet structure. The condensers C and C', rectiers R and R', the motor fan assembly MF and the aircccled absorber A are all positioned in a rear vertical `flue 84 formed in the cabinet structure to permit cooling air to flow vertically over these members and to discharge through the screen 85 at the top of the flue, which is level with the top wall of the cabinet structure as a whole.

A mechanism compartment 86 is positioned under the food storage structure or insulated structure of the cabinet above the base frame 91 or the cabinet. The base frame allows free access of cooling and combustion air into the chamber 86 and flue 84.

The boiler-analyzer assembly BD and the liquid heat exchanger L are encased in a body of insulating material 89 which rests upon transverse channel elements 98 secured to the base frame 81. Various angle iron lframe members, not shown, may be provided to support the upper portions of the refrigerating mechanism in the base frame.

As illustrated, fuel such as gas is supplied to the burner H through a conduit 99 which is controlled by a solenoid valve 9|. A pilot bypass 92 is provided around this valve to maintain an ignition flame on the burner H. The electrical motor M for the circulating fan F and the solenoid valve 9| are energized from a suitable source'of electrical supply 93 and 94. The electrical line 94 has a thermostatic switch mechanism 95 included therein to control the supply of fuel to the burner and the operation of the electrical motor.

The control mechanism 95 consists of a control bellows 96 which is responsive to the temperature of the chilling unit structure 50 through a capillary tube 91. The bellows acts against the bias of a spring 98, the tension o f which is adjusted by a nut arrangement 99. The adjusting nut 99 is regulated by a suitable motion transfer mechanism diagrammatically illustrated as a belt and pulley at which is actuated by a suitable dial, not shown, which may be placed either inside the cabinet or in any convenient wall thereof. The bellows 94 actuates a. snap-acting electrical switch |9| through an operating arm |92 tocontrol the operation of the motor M and the solenoid valve 9|.

`In Figure 3 the arrangement of the evaporator structure in the cabinet is illustrated in front view from which it is apparent that the tubular evaporator E and its associated absorber A are positioned to one side and at the rear of the casting 50 so'that the ice receiving shelves 52. which are hidden by the door 53 in this view. may extend substantially the full depth of the insulated interior of the cabinet 34.- If desired, absorber A' may be placed in the rear or bottom of the cabinet and insulated specially or be embedded in the cabinet insulation. In such cases the heat of absorption will be rejected to evaporator E by a suitable metal or circulating iiuid heat transfer system.

In the operation of the invention the inert gas traverses a path in which its refrigerant vapor concentration is reduced at a first temperature level in the absorber A and is reduced still further to an extremely low level and at a lower temperature level in the absorber A'. The resulting extremely lean inert gas is then conducted to the evaporator E as a consequence of which evaporation can occur in that evaporator at extremely low temperature levels to produce refrigerating temperatures suitable for-the preservaton of frozen foodstuffs, such as those now preserved by a quick freezing process. The inert gas has its refrigerant vapor concentration raised to some extent in the evaporator E. The inert gas discharging from evaporator E is relatively lean because the evaporator E' is heavily insulated, the whole freezing chamber is encased in a refrigerating chamber, and the load on such elements is not great as such foodstuffs will normally be frozen when placed within the chamber 39, all of which tend to restrict the evaporation of refrigerant in evaporator E' to a small quantity. The amounts of refrigeration required to maintain the desired very low temperatures in evaporator E are not large and the inert gas initially has a very low refrigerant vapor content so the gas discharged to the principal evaporator E is lean enough to produce refrigerating temperatures sufficient to freeze ice and to maintain desirable food preservation temperatures in Athe food storage space of the cabinet. The gas enriched in the evaporator E returns to the initial absorber A. Briefly stated, the initially extremely lean inert gas is partially enriched at a first temperature level, further enriched at a second temperature level, partially relieved of its vapor c-ontent at a first temperature level and further relieved of its vapor content at a second temperature level.

The very lean absorbing solution formed in the boiler B is rst partially enriched with refrigerant at a. low temperature in the absorber A' and is then further enriched with refrigerant at a higher temperature in the absorber A. The veryrich solution thus formed is partially relieved of its absorbed refrigerant under conditions very unfavorable to the evolution of vapor of the absorbent in the first analyzer heating chamber I5 and is further relieved of vapor in the second analyzer D and is stripped of its vapor in the boiler B. In the normal course of events the boiler B will be at a slightly higher temperature than the analyzer D and the analyzer'D will be at a somewhat higher temperature than the interior of th'e heating lchamber |5 so that the extremely low temperature evaporator E' receives pure liquid refrigerant uncontaminated by absorbing solution.

The hereindescribed invention provides a very satisfactory system for producing extremely low temperature refrigeration to preserve quick frozen foodstuffs in commotion with a domestic refrigerator cabinet which is accomplished by a multi-step and multi-temperature level evaporation and absorption in a single refrlgerating systern.y

While I have illustrated and described the lnvention in considerable detail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the arrangement, proportion and construction of parts v thout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims,

I claim:

l. In an absorption refrigerating apparatus a plurality of evaporators, an absorber, a generator assembly including a boiler part, an analyzer part, a heat transfer chamber arranged to be heated by vapor discharged from said analyzer part and means arranged to allow passage of liquid from saidv heat transfer part to said boiler and analyzer parts and to prevent passage of vapor between said parts; means for conducting rich absorption solution from said absorber to said heat transfer part, means for condensing refrigerant vapor evolved in said heat transfer part and for supplying such condensed vapor to one of said evaporators, means for condensing refrigerant vapor produced in said boiler and analyzer parts and for supplying such condensed vapor to the other evaporator, and means including said absorber for absorbing refrigerant vapor produced in said evaporators in absorption solution withdrawn from said boiler part.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus a generator, an absorber, means for conductingI strong absorption solution from said absorber to said generator in heat exchange relation with vapor produced in said generator, a first evaporator, a

rst condenser arranged to receive vapor evolved from strong solution in said heat exchange means and to supply refrigerant liquid tosaid first evaporator, a second evaporator, a condenser arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said generator and to supply refrigerant liquid to said second evaporator, an auxiliary absorber arranged to be cooled by said second evaporator and to absorb refrigerant vapor from said first evaporator, and means for conducting refrigerant vapor from said second evapoator to said first mentioned absorber.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet structure including an insulated food storage chamber, an insulated low temperature chamber, a freezing chamber, a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type associated with said cabinet structure including a first evaporator arranged to refrigerate said low temperature chamber, a second evaporator arranged to refrigerate said storage chamber and said freezing chamber, a rst absorber arranged to be cooled by said second evaporator, a second absorber positioned exteriorly of said chambers, refrigerant vapor generating means, condensing means arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said generating means and to supply refrigerant liquid to said evaporators, means for circulating absorbing solution between said generating means and said absorbers including means for conducting lean absorbing solution from said generating means to'said rst absorber, means for conducting inert gas in paths oi' iiow including said absorbersV and said evaporators so arranged that inert gas reduced in refrigerant vapor content in said first absorber iows to said rst evaporator.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, a 4cabinet structure including an insulated storage chamber, an insulated low temperature chamber positioned within said storage chamber, a freezing chamber and air-cooling structure within said storage chamber, a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type associated with said cabinet structure including a first evaporator arranged to refrigerate said low temperaturerefrigerating chamber, a rst absorber positioned within the confines of said freezing chamber and'air-cooling structure, a second evaporator arranged to refrigerate said rst absorber and said freezing chamber and air-cooling structure, a second absorber in said cabinet structure exteriorly of all of said chambers, refrigerant vapor generating means, condensing means arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said generating means and to supply refrigerant liquid to said evaporators, means for circulating inert gas through said evaporators and said absorbers so constructed and arranged that said irst evaporator receives inert gas which has been reduced in refrigerant vapor content by said rst absorber, and means for circulating absorption solution in a path of ow including said generating means and said absorbers.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet` f' structure including an insulated storage chamber, an insulated low temperature refrigerating chamber positioned'within said storage chamber, a freezing chamber positioned within said storage chamber, a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type associated with said cabinet structure including a first evaporator arranged to refrigerate said low temperature refrigerating chamber, a second evaporator arranged to refrigerate said storage chamber and said freezing chamber, a rst absorber arranged to be cooled by lsaid second evaporator. a second absorber in said cabinet structure exteriorly of al1 of said chambers, refrigerant vapor generating means, condensing means arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said generating means and to supply refrigerant liquid to said evaporators, means for circulating inert gas through said evaporators and said absorbers so constructed and arranged that said first evaporator receives inert gas which has been reduced in refrigerant vapor content by said rst absorber,'and means for circulating absorption solution in a path of flow including said generating means and said absorbers.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet structure including an insulated food storage chamber, an insulated low temperature chamber, a freezing chamber, a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type associated with said cabinet structure including a first evaporator arranged to refrigerate said low temperature chamber, a second evaporator arranged to refrigerate said storage chamber and said freezing chamber, a rst absorber 'arranged to be cooled by said second evaporator, a second absorber positioned exteriorly of said chambers,

refrigerant vapor generating means,A condens-- conducting absorption solution from said generating means to said first and second absorbers in that order and for conducting such solution from said second absorber to said generating means, means for conducting inert gas in paths of flow including said absorbers and said evaporators so arranged that`lnert gas reduced in' refrigerant vapor content in said first absorber flows to said first evaporator.

'1. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet structure including an insuiated food storage chamber. an insulated low temperature chamber, a freezing chamber, a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type associated with said cabinet structure including a first evaporator arranged to refrigerate said low temperature chamber, a second evaporator arranged to refrigerate said storage chamber and said freezing chamber, a first absorber arranged to be cooled by said second evaporator, a second absorber positioned exteriorly of said chambers, refrigerant vapor generating means, condensing means arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said generating means and to supply refrigerant liquid to said evaporators, means for circulating absorption solution between said generating means and said absorbers, means for conducting inert gas inA paths of flow including said absorbers and said evaporators so arranged that inert gas reduced in refrigerant vapor content in said first absorber fiows to said first evaporator.

8. In an absorption refrigerating apparatus, a pair of evaporators, an absorbing structure associated with said evaporators, a generator, means for conveying rich absorption solution from said absorbing structure to said generator including a heat exchange device arranged to be heated by vapor evolved in said generator, means for conducting vapor evolved in said generator to a first condenser including said heat exchange device in which said vapor heats rich solution flowing to said generator sufficiently to evolve refrigerant vapor from said solution, means for supplying condensate from said first condenser to a first one of said evaporators, means for condensing refrigerant vapor evolved from rich solution in'said heat exchange device and for supplying condensate to the second one of said evaporators, said absorbing structure including an absorber element arranged to reject heat of absorption to said first evaporator, means for conducting highly stripped inert gas from said absorber element to said second evaporator, and means for conducting lean absorbing solution from said generator to said absorber element.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus, a cabinet structure including an insulated storage chamber, an insulated low temperature refrigerating chamber positioned within said storage chamber, a freezing chamber positioned within said storage chamber, means for cooling the air in said storage chamber, a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type associated with said cabinet structure including a first evaporator arranged to refrigerate said low temperature refrigerating chamber, a second evaporator arranged to refrigerate said air-cooling means and said freezing chamber, a first absorber within the confines of said freezing chamber and air-cooling means arranged to be cooled by said second evaporator, a

second absorber in said cabinet structure exteriorly of all of said chambers, refrigerant vapor generating means, condensing means arranged to receive refrigerant vapor from said generating means and to supply refrigerant liquid to said evaporators. means for circulating inert gas' through said evaporators and said absorbers so constructed and arranged that said first evaporator receives inert gas which has been reduced in refrigerant vapor content by said first absorber, and means for circulating absorption solution in a path of flow including said generating means and said absorbers.

10. In a refrigerator a cabinet structure having an insulated refrigerating chamber, an ice freezing compartment in said chamber, an insulated low temperature storage compartment vin said chamber, a low temperature cooling unit arranged to refrigerate said low temperature compartment, a cooling unit arranged to refrigerate said ice freezing compartment and said chamber, means for supplying refrigerant liquid to said cooling units, means for supplying highh,r stripped inert gas to said low temperature cooling unit including an absorber arranged to reject heat of absorption to said ice freezing cooling unit, and an absorber cooled by a medium externally of said refrigerating chamber connected to receive inert gas from said ice freezing cooling unit.

11. In a refrigerator, a first evaporator adapted to refrigerate a low temperature food storage compartment, a second evaporator, freezing receptacle supporting means in heat exchange with said second evaporator, a first absorber in heat exchange with said second evaporator, a second absorber out of heat transfer relation with said evaporators and said first absorber, refrigerant vapor generating means, means for condensing refrigerant vapor liberated in said generating means and for supplying refrigerant liquid to said evaporators, means for circulating absorbing solution through said absorbers and said generating means, and means for flowing inert gas from said first absorber to said first evaporator mand from said second evaporator to said second absorber. i

12. In a refrigerator, a first evaporator adapted to refrigerate a low temperature food storage compartment, a second revaporator, freezing receptacle supporting means in heat exchange with said second evaporator, a first absorber in heat exchange with said second evaporator, a second absorber out of heat transfer relation with said evaporators and said first absorber, refrigerant vapor generating means, means for condensing refrigerant vapor liberated in said generating means and for supplying refrigerant liquid to said evaporators, means for circulating absorbing solution through said absorbers and said generating means; means for iiowing inert gas from said first absorber to said first evaporator in heat exchange relation with inert gas flowing from said first evaporator, and means for flowing inert gas from said second evaporator to said second absorber.

13. In a refrigerator, a first evaporator adapted to refrigerate a low temperature food storage compartment, a second evaporator, freezing receptacle supporting means in heat exchange with said second evaporator, a first absorber in heat exchange with said second evaporator, a second absorber out of heat transfer relation with said evaporators and said first absorber. refrigerant vapor generating means, means for y condensing refrigerant vapor liberated in said generating means and forsupplying refrigerant liquid to said second evaporator and to said first evaporator in heat exchange relation with inert gas flowing out of said first evaporator, means for circulating absorbing solution through said absorbers and said 11 generating means. and means for flowing inert gas from said met absorber vtio said first evaporator and from said second evaporator to said second absorber. e

CURTIS c. cooNs.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patenx:

Number 1 Number Great Britain L Nov. a, 1938 

